Solar-powered Ubuntu laptop boasts 10-hour battery, 2-hour charge time


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A blazing sun and the outdoors don't exactly make for an ideal computing environment -- unless you're toting a ruggedized laptop that harnesses energy from sunlight like the Ubuntu-running Sol. Created mainly for use in developing countries with intermittent (or non-existent) electricity, it's equipped with solar panels that soak up the sun when unfolded. According to OMG Ubuntu, its creators from Canadian company WeWi Telecommunications claim Sol's battery, which can last for up to ten hours, only takes two hours to charge via solar energy.
 
The device's official website reveals little else, but according to the nuggets of information we've stumbled upon, Sol will pack an Intel processor, WiFi connectivity and an HD display, with an optional satellite module for internet connectivity. While full availability details have yet to be announced, a countdown timer on its website hints at more info in just under two days. Ghana will reportedly see the hardware arrive first with an accompanying $300 price tag. Though the notebook isn't exactly wildly affordable, it's at least a bit cheaper than Samsung's 2011 take on a sunbeam-fueled laptop.

 

 

 
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10 hour battery time isn't impressive anymore, especially not if that is backed up by the solar charging.

For the price it might be.... but I bet there are reasonably major tradeoffs in the product quality and components. Also I wonder what the warranty is.

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10 hour battery time isn't impressive anymore, especially not if that is backed up by the solar charging.

 

I don't think the duration of the battery was meant to be impressive, but rather the ability to fully charge in 2 hours out of solar panels and (I'd guess) being able to run for as long as you have sunlight available without needing to plug it anywhere.

 

The again there aren't many specific details about how this works other than those in the article.

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Created mainly for use in developing countries with intermittent (or non-existent) electricity...

 

It would be great there. I can see it working anywhere where people have limited access to electricity. That thing is most impressive.

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